Last year there was no talk about, to stop pipe-laying vessels from spawning cod is a Danish improvisation under pressure from Washington. This opinion FBA “economy today” voiced by a leading expert of the National Energy Security Fund, Lecturer of the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation Igor YUSHKOV.
Russian pipelayers have been unable to start work on gas pipeline construction for two weeks “Northern Stream 2” and remain in the port of Germany. The problem is, that the Danish authorities have banned any construction work until the end of September due to spawning of cod, allegedly hindered by deep sea work. Recall, Denmark issued 6 July permission to lay pipes in the interests of the gas pipeline using atypical vessels. But the work has not started yet.
Notably, what 22 US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo arrives in Denmark on July. As part of the trip, he met with Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod. Secretary of State stressed, that the United States will more actively defend its geopolitical interests. And it was Denmark that did not give a building permit for almost two years “Northern Stream 2”, disrupting all deadlines established by EU laws - up to the moment, when Russia threatened to go to a European court.
“Last summer, pipe-laying vessels carried out pipe-laying work “Northern Stream 2” near the Danish water area, but Copenhagen did not say a word about the ban due to fish spawning, – Yushkov notes. - Yet again, Pompeo's visit to Denmark was not accidental - the States are clearly “compared positions” with a European partner, who helped them from the very beginning to block the construction of the gas pipeline.
Today Denmark is caught between two fires. On the one hand, Germany is pressing on her, which is very important to complete construction. On the other, the United States is pushing, demanding work to stop. apparently, Copenhagen made an interim decision to temporarily block works. It is not excluded, that Washington is seeking the Danish authorities to revoke the building permit, what will deprive “Nord stream” chances of completion”.
Project launch is postponed again
Russian pipelayer “Academic Cherskiy” came from the Far East, to work on completion “Northern Stream 2” Is a vessel with dynamic positioning, which meets the requirements of Denmark for work in its water area. However, in June Russia asked Copenhagen for permission to use anchor positioned vessels on the project., to speed up work. For example, Russian barge “Fortuna”, which is also now in the port of Germany. Danish authorities agreed unexpectedly quickly.
Dynamic positioning implies, that a computer system using satellite data uses a number of motors, to keep the ship at a given point or location. Anchor Positioning - Outdated System, requires scattering several anchors around the vessel using special technology, to fix it in place of deep-sea work. For a relatively shallow area in Danish waters, both systems are suitable.
“It is not clear today, how will they work “Academic Cherskiy” and “Fortuna” - will go towards each other or will act in pairs on the same thread, complementing equipment flaws. But in any case, the laying speed will be about 1-2 kilometers per day. Two threads will have to be laid about 130 kilometers. You also need to consider, that storms begin in the Baltic Sea in autumn, very difficult to work.
That is, with the most optimistic forecast, the vessels will begin work at the end of September., and will finish by the end of December in difficult weather conditions. It means, what's launched “Northern Stream 2″ maybe in the first or second quarter 2021 of the year. In general, this is no longer a critical deviation from the schedule, provided, that construction should have been completed in December 2019. the main thing, so that later the pipeline will still start working”, – Yushkov thinks.
US sanctions will require German response
Last December, the US imposed sanctions on companies, involved in construction “Northern Stream 2”. After that the pipelayer, owned by Swiss Allseas, was forced to leave the place of work, although formally the company had time to complete construction. According to experts, pressure from US officials forced the Swiss to take unnecessary risks.
New sanctions are now being laid in the US defense budget, implying punishment for exploitation, certification and service “Northern Stream 2”. Germany has declared these measures illegal and contrary to its national interests. And also threatened to introduce trade duties on goods from America. The US defense budget is usually adopted in the fall or early winter..
“Washington sees, that Russia will violate any sanctions for the completion of the gas pipeline - this is its area of responsibility. Therefore, you need to either get Denmark to revoke the building permit, or stop exploitation “Northern Stream 2” after its completion. But here they are already invading the zone of German national interests..
And now a lot will depend on, will Berlin agree to use the pipeline with new sanctions. More than 9 billion, and half of these funds are European investments. The confrontation between the USA and Germany is entering a decisive stage, and the future depends on its results “Northern Stream 2”, – concludes Igor Yushkov.
Max Boot
